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Comparative Study

| Published: June 28, 2019

Identification of items for evolving an instrument for the Assessment of Internet Use in Indian Context

Thamilselvan Palanichamy ,

PhD Research Scholar, Department of Clinical Psychology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Bengaluru, Karnataka, India Google Scholar More about the auther

Manoj Kumar Sharma ,

Professor, Department of Clinical Psychology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Bengaluru, Karnataka, India Google Scholar More about the auther

Prabha S Chandra ,

Professor, Department of Psychiatry, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Bengaluru, Karnataka, India Google Scholar More about the auther

K.Thennarasu

Professor, Department of Biostatistics, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Bengaluru, Karnataka, India Google Scholar More about the auther

DIP: 18.01.071/20190702

DOI: 10.25215/0702.071

ABSTRACT

Background: Internet can be used for searching information, communication, academics, research, work/business, entertainment purpose, making friends, sharing sexual contents, connecting to strangers as well as expressing our thoughts. Methods: To identify the items for evolving an instrument for the assessment of Internet use. Semi-structured Interview Schedule (developed by the investigator and content validated by the 10 experts) and Internet Addiction Test (IAT) were administered. 6 Focus Group Discussions (FGD) conducted with 32 experts. A total of 75 samples, aged from 16 – 40 years, minimum one year of internet use, screened to identify Mild to Severe Internet addiction (N=50) through IAT, used stratified random sampling. Results: The themes and concepts were derived from the semi-structured interview schedule responses given by FGD as well as 50 sample responses. There were numerous factors revealed and three components were generated (ie; Internet usage patterns, Internet overuse/addiction and dysfunctions/consequences due to Internet use) and 69 items were shortlisted from the 147 items. Conclusion: The present study has given procedural steps for item generation for instrument development as well as the pattern of internet use. It will be helpful to screen the internet overuse.
Responding Author Information

Thamilselvan Palanichamy @ thamil.selvan04@gmail.com

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ISSN 2348-5396

ISSN 2349-3429

DIP: 18.01.071/20190702

DOI: 10.25215/0702.071

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Published in   Volume 07, Issue 2, April-June, 2019